They say the accident happened at about 9:45 a.m. Friday when one vehicle drifted into an oncoming lane and crashed head-on into another in the St. Lawrence County town of Oswegatchie.

Troopers say the driver and two passengers in the first vehicle died at the scene. Another passenger is hospitalized in critical condition. The driver of the other car is in stable condition at a hospital.

The names of the victims won't be released until relatives are notified. Police didn't initially have information on the types of vehicles involved.

A Justice Department civil rights investigation has concluded that the Ferguson Police Department and the city's municipal court engaged in a "pattern and practice" of discrimination against African Americans.